Did you know...? Every January 10 is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. It's a day for homeowners to consider in what ways they might revise their habits and in turn cut down on their energy costs. In a time when everything seems like it's more expensive (probably because it is), finding small ways to cut back on spending may seem attractive to many homeowners. The good news is this: with just a few tweaks and minor changes to your routine, you can benefit both your bottom line and the environment.
Here are some small ways you might cut down on your own energy costs this year:
- Weatherproof your home - windows, doors, anywhere you feel a draft
- Have your furnace/air conditioning serviced for efficient operation
- Change your air filters regularly - set up reminders in your phone or on your calendar
- Replace old thermostats with programmable ones that are accessible via your smartphone for better control (and for those times when you forget to adjust before leaving the house or going out of town)
- Turn off lights when leaving a room
- Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs
- Use less hot water by washing clothes in warm or cold water instead of hot
- Run dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded
- Lower water heater temperature
- Take shorter showers
- Unplug unused appliances
- Replace old windows with new energy-efficient windows
You can take all of this a step further and request an energy audit -- your energy provider may offer this service for free (it's worth a phone call to find out), but if you prefer the DIY route, the U. S. Department of Energy offers a handy guide, which you can access here.
Use today to begin new, smart habits that can help save you money, too!
